Policies

Open Sewing:

Open sewing is meant to be independent studio time for you and those around you. Please respect other’s desire to maximize their time in our store by:

  • Please be considerate with employee’s time. While we love to assist you with basic questions about the machines and projects, we are there to help all sewists, customers, teachers, and do other store duties. If you would like to schedule one on one assistance, any employee will be happy to do so.
  • Children under 18 are not able to participate in open sew at this time. Check the calendar for upcoming kids sewing classes, camps, and clubs.
  • Open sewing is not a place for small children; while we have our own and love them dearly, Modern Domestic is full of sharp, hot, and expensive items.
  • Bobbins are provided for your project or class while at MD, if you would like to own your bobbin, you may buy them individually and take them home. Otherwise, leave them with us and we will pass them on to the next eager sewist.
  • Tools and machine accessories are here for your use and they are included in the hourly rate. When checking out your tool kit or any of our presser feet, we require that you leave your credit card; upon returning all of the items, your card is returned to you.

Classes:

Your class fee includes use of the studio and machines at no additional charge to work on your class project during the class session and 30 days after the class has ended. This is to encourage you to complete your project and is not intended to be used for other projects.

Statement to Students:

Most of our classes will require the use of a sewing machine. Each student will have a sewing machine provided for class, unless otherwise indicated. If you want to bring your machine to class instead of using ours, please feel free to do so but please have a basic understanding of your machine and bring your manual.

Other details to keep in mind:

  • All hands-on sewing classes are limited to 6/8 students (excluding special events and private parties).
  • Students must provide full payment to hold their spot in the class.
  • If you have to cancel, please do so early on. Payments are refundable or transferable to another class up to 72 hours before the class starts. Should you cancel with less than 72 hours before the beginning of class you will forfeit 50% of the class cost if we are not able to fill your vacated spot.  If you do not show for class (and don’t cancel) you forfeit your entire payment and opportunity to transfer your payment to another class.
  • If we have to cancel a class, you will certainly receive a full refund.

Class Dates

To see upcoming class dates, follow the “See all class dates and details” link to view the class details and purchase the class online. You can also register by calling us at (503)808-9910, or just visit the store. Classes are limited to 6 students, and many fill up fast.

Supplies

We will also have tools to check out for class. Feel free to bring your own supplies, but we will have all basic sewing supplies, cutting supplies, and machine equipment provided for you (for a complete list go here). All you need to bring is your smiling face and the supplies listed on the class page. If you have any questions about the supply list, feel free to give us a call! We strongly encourage you to support our local NE Portland craft and fabric retailers when buying supplies. Unless otherwise noted, all materials and patterns are available down the street at Bolt Fabric Boutique (2136 NE Alberta).

Age

In order to best serve all sewists at Modern domestic, classes are limited to students 18 and up. We have many classes listed as “all ages” and “kids and teens” so please have a look there to discover age appropriate classes for people as young as 8.

Skill Levels

  • Learn to Sew: You know nothing about sewing but you think you might like it.
  • Beginning: You’ve sewn a little, mostly straight seams, read through a pattern, maybe could use some help with that, or just some more practice with keeping your stitches straight. You’ve finished your pillows and want to tackle a skirt — with elastic. These classes usually have little if any homework, or work to complete outside class time.
  • Intermediate: You’re comfortable reading a pattern, have made a number of projects. Want to learn how to keep your zippers neat, make even darts, and successful alterations. You’re venturing into more complicated patterns (e.g., lined garments, inserting sleeves, invisible zippers). Classes are generally paced a bit more quickly and often expect out of class sewing time from students.
  • Advanced: You use a pattern just as the starting point, and jump off from there. You want to learn to make patterns, be more precise with your alterations, do more detail work. You tackle challenging patterns with joy.

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • Full payment is due upon signing up for a class
  • 100% of class fee is refundable or transferable to another class if cancellation is at least 72 hours before class
  • 50% of class fee is refundable or transferable to another class if cancellation is less than 72 hours before class starts; other 50% goes to teacher payment; unless student’s space is filled by another student
  • No-shows forfeit any refund or exchange.

Your class fee includes use of the studio and machines at no additional charge to work on your class project during the class session and 30 days after the class has ended. This is to encourage you to complete your class project and is not intended to be used for other projects.

  • Sew-cial Networking